Women to Watch: Shana Lewis

SHANA LEWIS DESIGNED HER LAW practice— which she launched in 2015—to meet the needs of the 40 school districts she represents statewide. What schools need most is money, Lewis says. She passionately maintains it should be coming from the community instead of being pulled from important programs.

“The first thing people look at cutting is arts and music. Students who aren’t necessarily traditional learners need that spark,” says Lewis, who believes such courses keep students excited about learning.

She has been working with the Madison Community Foundation and A Fund for Women to teach school districts to fundraise like nonprofits. She also wants to create a more collaborative effort between school districts and between districts and their local communities.

“People can get to know what it is that public schools give back to the community in more ways than just educating kids,” says Lewis. “[They] create the future leaders of our communities…those are the people that are going to be taking care of us later and making decisions about land use and city planning.”